Senior Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney - Experienced Litigation Attorney | Independent Case Management | Probate, Trusts & Estates

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you an experienced, self-motivated attorney who takes ownership of cases, thinks strategically, and confidently manages litigation from inception through resolution?

Wickers, Wickers & Admans LLP is seeking a talented, driven, and experienced Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney to join our established boutique law firm in Torrance, California.

With more than 30 years of experience serving clients throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, our firm focuses on trust and estate litigation, probate administration and litigation, conservatorships, and estate planning.

We are looking for an attorney who is more than a skilled legal researcher or drafter. We want a proactive legal professional who can independently manage cases, develop effective litigation strategies, anticipate challenges, and take the initiative to move matters forward with minimal supervision.

The ideal candidate possesses strong litigation experience, excellent legal writing and advocacy skills, sound professional judgment, and a genuine commitment to achieving excellent results for clients.

You will work collaboratively with experienced partners and dedicated support staff while maintaining substantial responsibility for your own cases.

This position is particularly well suited for an attorney who enjoys meaningful autonomy, thrives on responsibility, and takes pride in managing cases from beginning to end.

I. INDEPENDENT CASE MANAGEMENT & LITIGATION STRATEGY

• Independently manage a caseload of trust, estate, probate, and conservatorship litigation matters from initial evaluation through settlement, trial, or final resolution.

• Take ownership of assigned matters, ensuring that cases advance efficiently, strategically, and in accordance with client objectives.

• Evaluate legal claims, defenses, procedural requirements, evidence hurdles, and potential remedies.

• Develop and execute comprehensive litigation strategies, including discovery plans, motion practice, settlement negotiations, mediation, and trial preparation.

• Proactively identify legal issues, upcoming deadlines, potential obstacles, and opportunities for resolution.

• Exercise independent professional judgment while appropriately collaborating with partners on significant strategic decisions.

• Maintain organized case files, litigation calendars, and case management plans.

• Provide regular case status updates, identify recommended next steps, and ensure that matters do not become stagnant.

• Effectively delegate and supervise appropriate assignments to paralegals and support staff.

• Manage workload efficiently while maintaining a high standard of legal work and client service.

II. LITIGATION, DISCOVERY & COURT APPEARANCES

• Draft, review, and finalize petitions, complaints, objections, responses, motions, oppositions, replies, and other complex legal pleadings.

• Independently prepare and respond to written discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.

• Analyze discovery responses, identify deficiencies, and prepare effective meet-and-confer correspondence and motions to compel.

• Prepare for, take, and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts.

• Evaluate financial records, trust documents, accountings, medical records, and other evidence relevant to contested matters.

• Conduct legal research and prepare persuasive memoranda, briefs, and written arguments supported by relevant legal authority.

• Independently prepare for and appear at court hearings, including contested hearings and law and motion proceedings.

• Develop case theories, identify exhibits, prepare witnesses, and coordinate expert testimony.

• Prepare matters for mediation, mandatory settlement conferences, evidentiary hearings, and trial.

• Participate in trials and evidentiary proceedings, with opportunities to assume first-chair responsibilities commensurate with experience.

• Negotiate settlements and prepare settlement agreements, releases, and related documentation.

III. TRUST, ESTATE & PROBATE MATTERS

• Represent trustees, beneficiaries, executors, administrators, conservators, and other interested parties in contested trust and probate proceedings.

• Handle matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, trustee removal, contested accountings, undue influence, financial elder abuse, trust and will contests, and related disputes.

• Prepare petitions and related pleadings under the California Probate Code.

• Review, interpret, and analyze wills, trusts, amendments, accountings, and other estate-related documents.

• Advise clients concerning their rights, obligations, available remedies, and litigation risks.

• Assist with probate and trust administration matters as needed.

• Draft and review estate planning documents, including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related instruments, as appropriate to experience.

• Collaborate with accountants, financial advisors, fiduciaries, and expert witnesses when necessary.

IV. CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients, maintaining professional, responsive, and thoughtful communication through the Client Portal.

• Clearly explain legal strategies, developments, risks, potential outcomes, and recommended next steps.

• Maintain strong client relationships through consistent communication, sound judgment, and exceptional service.

• Approach emotionally sensitive family disputes with professionalism, compassion, and appropriate boundaries.

• Manage client expectations concerning litigation timelines, costs, and potential outcomes.

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous time records and efficiently manage billable work.

• Ensure compliance with court rules, ethical obligations, professional standards, and firm policies.

• Work collaboratively with partners, attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff to deliver exceptional legal representation.

REQUIRED

We are seeking an attorney who brings meaningful litigation experience and can independently handle substantive legal work with minimal supervision.

• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

• Substantial experience handling California civil litigation, preferably involving probate, trust, estate, or conservatorship disputes.

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage litigation matters from inception through resolution.

• Strong experience developing litigation strategies, managing discovery, drafting law and motion pleadings, and appearing in court.

• Experience taking and defending depositions.

• Excellent legal research, analytical reasoning, and persuasive writing skills.

• Ability to independently prepare for and argue contested motions and hearings.

• Experience preparing cases for mediation, settlement conferences, and trial.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple active cases and competing deadlines.

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality legal work.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal research platforms, and electronic case management systems.

• A proactive, self-directed work style and the ability to identify and complete necessary tasks without repeated direction or reminders.

PREFERRED

• Five or more years of substantive litigation experience.

• Experience litigating California trust, probate, conservatorship, and financial elder abuse matters.

• First-chair or substantial second-chair trial experience.

• Experience independently conducting contested evidentiary hearings.

• Experience handling complex discovery disputes and dispositive motions.

• Familiarity with California Probate Code provisions, local probate court procedures, and fiduciary obligations.

• Experience analyzing trust and estate accountings and financial records.

• Experience supervising paralegals and delegating litigation support assignments.

• Proficiency with Clio legal practice management software.

• Experience drafting and administering estate planning documents.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: INDEPENDENT, STRATEGIC & SELF-MOTIVATED

We are particularly interested in attorneys who demonstrate the following qualities:

• Ownership & Accountability: You take personal responsibility for your cases, meet deadlines, follow through on commitments, and maintain momentum without needing constant supervision.

• Initiative & Self-Motivation: You do not wait to be told every next step. You independently evaluate the status of your cases, anticipate what needs to be done, and proactively develop recommendations and solutions.

• Strategic Thinking: You see the bigger picture, understand how individual litigation tasks contribute to the overall case strategy, and make thoughtful decisions designed to advance the client's interests.

• Strong Legal Judgment: You know when to act independently, when to seek input, and when to bring significant issues to the attention of supervising partners.

• Excellent Advocacy & Writing: You take pride in persuasive legal writing, thorough preparation, compelling factual presentations, and effective courtroom advocacy.

• Efficiency & Organization: You understand how to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage legal resources effectively, and move cases forward without unnecessary delay or expense.

• Client Commitment: You recognize the emotional and financial significance of trust and estate disputes and are committed to providing clients with exceptional representation.

• Teamwork & Professionalism: You value collegiality, mutual respect, thoughtful communication, and collaboration while remaining fully accountable for your own work.

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We value talented professionals and recognize the experience, dedication, and expertise they bring to our firm. We offer competitive compensation.

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance: Available after 60 days of employment.

• Firm-Paid Life Insurance: Provided to eligible employees.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: With employer matching contributions after six months of employment.

• 10 Paid Holidays: Firm-observed paid holidays annually.

• Annual Performance-Based Bonus: Opportunity to receive a yearly bonus based on established performance factors.

• Professional Development & Career Growth: Opportunities to expand your expertise, take on greater responsibility, and advance professionally.

• Collaborative Work Environment: Work alongside experienced attorneys and dedicated colleagues in a professional, team-oriented setting.

• Meaningful Work: Make a direct impact on clients and families during important and often challenging periods of their lives.